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Welcome to Caps 'Round the Clock, a blog covering the Washington Capitals and the NHL. In season, I update the Blog after every practice and on game day with Caps news and information, and then provide a recap and analysis after each contest. I also write a periodical Prospect Watch and weekly feature pieces on the state of the Men in Red and other things Capitals. And of course, I will post videos and tidbits from around the League and offer my two cents as the season wears on. In the offseason, I write a Report Card for each player, and will keep you updated on all the news about the Caps through the summer. I'm glad you're here, and hope you come back!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Predicting the Opening Night Lineup

Okay, it's official. A week into August, with Development Camp long done, all contracts signed, and no more free agents left to pursue, the dog days of summer are officially upon us. There is no hockey to pay attention to and no news to wait for. So, it's time to hypothesize and have some fun. Todays topic: the opening night roster. For my lines, defensive pairings, and camp cuts, take a look after the jump.First Line: Alex Ovechkin, L; Nicklas Backstrom, C; Mike Knuble, R:
After a truly pathetic year last year by all of their standards, I think that the top trio will stay intact as Bruce Boudreau hopes for some of the magic of 2009-10. Knuble can still go to the net and score goals, as he proved towards the end of last season, but he's not good enough to be the second best player on his line anymore, as he would be anywhere else in the lineup. It stands to reason that after such awful luck last year, a bounce back can be expected.Second Line: Troy Brouwer, L; Marcus Johansson, C; Alexander Semin, R:
It all hinges on Johansson. If he is able to live up to his potential, this line could prove to be the excellent secondary scoring threat that the Caps lacked last year. Alexander Semin, despite his misgivings, still has electric talent, but he cannot do it by himself. He does need a center to get him the puck, as was proven by Jason Arnott last spring. Brouwer will bring toughness and size to a line otherwise seriously lacking it, as well.Third Line: Jason Chimera, L; Brooks Laich, C; Joel Ward, R:
If this line comes to pass, it will be an absolute nightmare to play against, and could pass as the Caps' "shutdown" offensive line. All three of these players have speed and size, and they can all block shots as well as hit a little bit and forecheck very well. Laich will have to be the "engine" that drives the line, but that's okay, because he does have a 40-50 point offensive ceiling; that's fine for the third line.Fourth Line: Matt Hendricks, L; Jeff Halpern, C; Jay Beagle, R:
Halpern and Hendricks are basically locks to play on this line when healthy. Halpern is a proven veteran who can win faceoffs, play good defense, and score a little bit. Hendricks is physical, defensive, and blocks shots well. Beagle is a little bit of a question, but he wasn't totally awful when he played last season. He's also a natural center, which would give the Caps three centers on the line (nice if you need to win a faceoff). This could end up being one of the better fourth units on the circuit.Defensive Pairing A: John Carlson, Karl Alzner:
Duh. I detail this further here, but these guys are like Batman and Robin. They make one another better, it's a great mix of offense and shutdown defense, and they were the top pair last season. Case closed.Defensive Pairing B: Mike Green, Roman Hamrlik:
One of the Caps' new acquisitions, the aging Hamrlik is no longer good enough to be the best defenseman in his pairing. He's got a little offensive pop, but his primary job with the Caps will be blocking shots and playing very good defense. That gives Green some extra room to roam, but they should be good defensively because they were both excellent shot blockers last year.Defensive Pairing C: Dennis Wideman, Jeff Schultz:
When Wideman and Schultz were together last year before Wideman got hurt, they were actually a pretty good match. Wideman's offense and Schultz's defense, like the other two pairs, complement each other nicely, and that is something few other NHL teams can afford. Having Wideman on your third pairing is silly good. And if you're calling for Big John Erskine, I direct you here.Healthy Scratches: John Erskine, Mattias Sjogren:
Erskine is obviously going to be on the team and will probably play a bunch of minutes due to inevitable injuries, but as I outline above, Sarge is probably going to get the call on Opening night. I pick Sjogren to make the team over, say, Cody Eakin because he's older, more experienced, and because Eakin isn't ready to jump into the fire yet in his first season of pro hockey. He needs time in the AHL.

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Welcome to CRtC

About Me

Hello, Caps or hockey fan! My name is Harry Hawkings and I am a sophomore and aspiring sports writer at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. At Trinity, I manage the Men's Ice Hockey team, write sports for the newspaper, and work for the student-run sports website, Trinity Sports Network.

I have been a Caps fan since I attended my first game when I was four years old and remember spending my allowance whenever I could to see the Capitals when they were having their 20-win seasons in the early and mid 2000s. About halfway through October 2010, I got bored one night and decided to start a Caps blog. I created it to help connect with my fellow Caps fans, to provide and pass along news, and to give my insight on the Capitals as they navigate their season.

I now write for RockTheRed.net as well, and am credentialed, through them, to work games and practices. Please, let me know what you think by leaving a comment, and come back!

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